Temperatures are noticeably cooler in July compared to previous months, but the clear, sunny skies and low rainfall make this a great time of year to observe nesting birds.

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Overview

• July is a popular month for Galapagos safaris, as skies tend to get cloudier during the later summer months.
• Expect cooler temperatures on land and in the water, as well as rougher seas and stronger winds. Water clarity will also be higher as a result.
• There will be the occasional drizzle, but on average you can expect a good few hours of sunshine each day.
• This is a good time to travel to the Galapagos if you want to avoid the highest temperatures, particularly for hikers, as there is plenty of birdlife to enjoy on the islands.

Where to Go and What to See

• July is a great month to witness the fascinating mating ritual of the blue-footed booby, and with luck you’ll be able to see all four stages in one place: eggs, chicks, juveniles and adults.
• This is the breeding season for the Galapagos sea lion, with aggressive rival males competing for ownership over their harems of females.
• The waters between Isabela and Fernandina Islands are the best place to spot Galapagos penguins, with one parent filling up on fish while the other guards their egg.
• Waved albatross chicks will be hatching in July, congregating in small nurseries on Espanola (Hood) Island.
• Smaller seabirds can also be seen during July, like the American oystercatcher that nests on Santiago Island.
• Visit North Seymour Island for frigatebird sightings, or Fernandina Island for a chance to see flightless cormorants undertaking mating and nesting rituals.
• Short-eared owls will also be finding their own mates in July, with most individuals using Genovesa Island as the site for their particular rituals.
• Thanks to the cold waters of the Humboldt Current and the nutrients that it brings with it, it may be possible to see whales and even dolphins off the coast of the Galapagos Islands during July.